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We know that trendlines are one of the first concepts every new trader learns. However, blindly buying the third touch of a diagonal line is often a recipe for disaster. To trade profitably, you need to understand the mechanics behind the line. In this video guide, we break down exactly how to map a trendline correctly and the four specific ways you can use them to find high-probability setups, spot fakeouts, and track institutional liquidity.
Mapping Correctly (Wicks vs. Bodies): There are two ways to draw a trendline. You can connect the wicks (aggressive) or you can connect the candle bodies (conservative). We highly recommend the conservative body-to-body approach. While you may get your entry signals slightly later, connecting the bodies drastically reduces your chances of getting trapped in a false breakout. Furthermore, a trendline should never be traded in isolation. You must always combine it with horizontal confluences, such as a major Support and Resistance zone, a Fibonacci retracement level, or a Fair Value Gap.
Avoiding the Fakeout Trap: Retail traders often get stopped out because they mistake a liquidity sweep for a breakout. If price is approaching your trendline with very small candles and low momentum, the market has no intention of breaking out. It is likely going to dip slightly past the line to trigger retail stop-losses in a classic “fakeout” before reversing back into the main trend.
Confirming True Breakouts: A true breakout happens with massive momentum and large candle bodies. However, you should never enter the trade exactly as the line breaks. The professional approach is to wait for the price to break the line, form a structural Change of Character (ChoCh), and then enter on the retracement into a newly formed Supply or Demand zone.
Using Trendlines as Liquidity Maps: Institutional traders know exactly where retail traders place their stop-losses: right below an uptrend line and right above a downtrend line. This creates a massive pool of liquidity. Often, the best strategy is to simply wait for the market to purposefully sweep that trendline liquidity before entering a trade in the opposite direction.
“When we finally stopped trading trendlines blindly and started using them to map liquidity, our trade accuracy improved tenfold.”
By changing your perspective from viewing trendlines as solid walls to viewing them as potential traps, you can stop being the liquidity and start profiting from the sweeps. Make sure to backtest these four methods on your own charts before taking a live position.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Investments in securities or other financial instruments are subject to market risk, including partial or total loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consider your financial situation carefully and consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment or trading decisions.